NASET News Alert

Long-Term Academic Effects Of Child's ADHD May Extend To Siblings

December 11, 2008

The long-term academic problems that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience may affect their siblings as well, according to an analysis partially funded by NIMH and published in the Journal of Health Economics. Jason Fletcher, Ph.D., of Yale University and Barbara Wolfe, Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin-Madison explored how having ADHD or having a sibling with ADHD affects a person's short- and long-term education outcomes. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health-a school-based study of health-related behaviors of teens and their outcomes in young adulthood-Fletcher and Wolfe confirmed findings from a previous study that found ADHD affected the short-term educational achievements of children with ADHD. These children are more likely to repeat a grade and receive special education services, have lower grade point averages, experience more suspensions and expulsions, and complete fewer years of school than children without ADHD. The researchers then explored how ADHD may impact the family, and whether the siblings of children with ADHD are affected academically by their brother's or sister's ADHD symptoms. To read more, click here